The Eagles soar to first UK number one

LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) After selling tens of millions of records around the world during a career spanning more than 35 years, US rock group The Eagles finally secured their first UK number one album yesterday.

Their first studio album in 28 years, ''Long Road Out of Eden'', went straight to the top spot in its debut week.

Despite having had a string of UK top 20 singles, such as ''Hotel California'' and ''Take It To The Limit'', the band had never before reached the top of the album or singles chart.

Despite strong UK sales, their latest release has received mixed reviews.

A Washington Post critic called it outdated, saying it ''seems to have arrived just in time for the 1983 Christmas shopping season''.

The album mixes ballads with social and political commentary on everything from the Iraq war and US foreign policy to consumerism and the media.

The Eagles beat new releases from some of the industry's biggest names to claim the UK number one spot.

In second place was Britney Spears's ''Blackout'', while Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's collaboration ''Raising Sand'' was a new entry at number four.

Whitney Houston's ''The Ultimate Collection'' entered the chart in fifth place, while Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Queen all appeared in the top 20.

The Eagles' greatest hits collection is the best-selling US album of all time, and the band has sold around 120 million albums worldwide.

REUTERS PBB AS0717